The Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets team understand how many considerations there are when it comes to updating or replacing your kitchen. Our information guides are designed to offer quick and easy insight into all things related to solid wood, kitchens and cabinetry, plus other information that may interest and inspire you!

So, if you're thinking about making a purchase, or are just interested in learning a little more about the wonderful world of solid timber kitchens, please feel free to explore our extensive library.

If you would like to view all the information guides in a particular category, please use the following links:

A compendium of articles to help you choose accessories and appliances to suit your solid wood kitchen. Includes popular guides such as 'Buying Small Appliances for Oak Kitchens' and 'Buying Cooker Hobs for Solid Oak Kitchens'.

In the ‘Cabinetry’ category you will find guidance on anything and everything to do with kitchen cabinets; these articles will contain product knowledge, history, information on specific timbers and cabinet construction. This section will be updated regularly so do keep an eye out for new guides.

These questions were sent in directly by our customers, and have been answered with assistance from our in-house kitchen experts. We will be posting a new question every week, so do check back for the answers to further popular queries.

Handy hints about our services, product ranges, and much more. Our 'General' guides cover a wide range of topics, from a 'Pre-Drilling Service' article to a helpful run-down of the online ordering process entitled 'How to Order Solid Wood Kitchens'.

A selection of guides that will prove both inspirational and informative when planning your kitchen. Features useful articles such as 'How to Create a Shaker Kitchen' and 'How to Create a Farmhouse Kitchen with Solid Oak Kitchen Cabinets'.

For a full list of the Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets information guides, please click here.

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Recent Information Guides from Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets

Choosing the perfect colour for your kitchen is a vital part of the design process. As the heart of your home, a kitchen tends to be used for much more than just preparing food. It is important to choose wisely, because the wrong palette it can make the space feel cramped, dated, cold or simply uninviting.

Natural light and kitchen size

It can get overlooked, but the lighting in your cooking space is a big part of selecting which shade you want for your walls. Avoid dark colours if your kitchen is lacking in natural light or on the small side, as it can make the space feel smaller and less welcoming. White or off-white shades will work best here, opening up the room and reflecting any available light. If you are lucky enough to have a large kitchen or one bathed in natural light, dark blues, greys and even blacks can look stunning. However, a large kitchen could be overwhelmed by an excess of dark colours, so you may want to contrast it with some lighter elements.

When looking at paint colours on chips and in charts, bear in mind that each colour will look different in natural light, the artificial light in your kitchen and the harsher lights often found in shops. Take a few cards home and experiment with different light – if you are unsure, go for a colour that is a couple of shades lighter.

Theme

Some colours work particularly well in a certain style of kitchen, while some colours can upset the balance you are trying to achieve. For example, if you are looking for a country or farmhouse style, a pastel colour such as light blue will nicely lift the space without being so bold that it takes away from the fittings. Meanwhile, more vivid colours may well work in a modern kitchen, and there are some themes that work in a range of styles – a monochrome scheme is a popular option to inject some timeless appeal. Our guide to choosing colours to complement wooden worktops for more inspiration.

Put your accessories first

It might seem a bit strange to prioritise the colour of accessories or appliances when you are deciding what colour to paint the walls or cabinetry, but they can be a great starting point to making a solid choice – especially if you have something that you are looking to keep and don’t want hidden in a cupboard. Anything can be used to lead the colour scheme of the room, including rugs, artwork, large appliances, smaller appliances or even secondary accessories like coffee pots. By using these ideas, you will be able to narrow down potential shades to contrast or complete the look.

Go boldly

Credit: : Desire to Inspire

Do not be afraid to add a splash of colour if you are eyeing up brighter shades. They can add lots of vibrancy and life into otherwise neutral surroundings, enticing people into your kitchen and creating a social space that will invite so much more use than simply cooking. Some of the best shades to use this year are Farrow & Ball’s Vardo (shown here), Yellowcake or Nancy’s Blushes, and they will all work well with a modern scheme and some retro touches.

If you do not want to paint your whole kitchen in a bold colour, consider limiting the flash of colour to a feature wall – this kitchen’s bright white walls, worktop and accessories provide a stark contrast and really draw your eye to the teal-coloured paint. An alternative to this is to create a quirky finish by painting a wall in chalkboard paint, which is great for your kids to doodle on and to create a shopping list on.

Neutral versatility

Whilst bold shades can be ideal in creating a striking look, neutral colours offer a lot of versatility, and will not need to be changed when trends do. They offer the perfect backdrop for any of our kitchen worktops, leaving you free to choose a more exotic option such as Zebrano. For a kitchen with a more timeless appeal, our oak worktops to offer a classic, effortless style.

With neutral colours, you are also free to add colour by changing the accessories or adding little bits here and there – much cheaper than repainting or changing the worktops, and is easily changeable if you get bored of the colour you have chosen.

What colour have you chosen for your kitchen? We love to hear from our customers and are always interested to know how our products have been styled. Let us know in the comments, or feel free to tag us in photos on Facebook or Instagram.

“How easy is removing kitchen worktops without damaging my cabinets?”

Our customer question for this week has been sent in by Janet in Perthshire, who would like to know how easily she can replace her worktop and leave her cupboards in place.

QUESTION:

“My current worktop has water damage so I would like to update it, but I do not really want to have a whole new kitchen as the cabinets are in good shape. How easy is removing kitchen worktops without damaging the cabinets below?”

ANSWER:

Hi Janet,

Thank you for contacting us – we are pleased you have found us and are looking at purchasing one of our worktops to replace the water damaged one you currently have. Removing kitchen worktops is a relatively simple task, but you will need to take your time to make sure that your cabinets are not damaged. If you have a tiled splashback, it can be easy to crack or scratch a few tiles so you will need to bear this in mind too.

The worktop will probably be screwed into the top of the cabinets and appliances, so we recommend removing drawers or items to give you easy access. At this point it is good to check that your cabinets are in good condition throughout. Once all the screws have been taken out, you will need to very carefully cut the sealant between the worktop and the wall or tiles. After this, the worktop should simply lift off. There are faster ways to do this, but this method should ensure that you do not damage any other part of your kitchen in the process.

Our extensive work surface collection contains both laminate worktop and solid wood worktop options, so we are sure to have something to suit your kitchen. If you are replacing like-for-like, the measurements of your old worktop can be used for your replacement. Should you need any cut-outs or alterations, our sister company, Worktop Express has a cost-effective bespoke cutting service to help you get the right size for your kitchen.

Fitting the new surface should be a simple reversal of the removal process – you will need to reseal between the worktop and wall, splashback or tiles and fasten it to the cabinetry. We would recommend using slotted angle brackets for this.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us. Alternatively, you are not too far from our Glasgow showroom should you wish to see a range of different worktops or speak to our team.

Kind regards,

The Team @ Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets

Do you have a question that you would like us to answer? Ask us now on , or send us a message.

Winter may still be holding on with the cold and wet weather, but spring is within touching distance making now the perfect time to start thinking about sprucing up your kitchen. You could be considering a complete overhaul, but a fresh new look can be achieved without spending lots of money on brightening the place up. Concentrating on small touches, a feature wall or a few natural additions can make your kitchen much more inviting without breaking the bank.

Handle the change

You would be surprised at how fresh your kitchen will feel if you garnish the cabinets with new handles – as one of the most used parts of a kitchen, these can start to feel a little tired before the rest anything else. Our huge range of designer and solid wood handles starts from just £2, so there are very few cheaper options for jazzing up your kitchen for spring. If you want to create a modern look, check out our Metropolis bow handle or our stainless steel pull handles. If you want to add a zap of colour into the room, new handles can easily provide that – our solid oak knobs can be painted in a selection of premium Farrow & Ball colours, including ‘Blazer’ red to really stand out.

Look after your shelf

If you have decided the handles are not a big enough change, you might consider replacing or adding extra cabinets or shelving. An open shelf or cabinet makes a perfect display case for your best crockery or kitchen accessories, and helps the space feel a lighter and airier. Top with brightly-coloured flowers is a great way to bring spring in, especially when the weather outside is less than cheerful. Alternatively, shelves can be used to store items that you use fairly regularly, decluttering the cupboard and freeing up space.

We can walk you through every step of the way if you are looking to replace your kitchen cabinets, allowing you to choose the perfect size, Shaker or Traditional doors with glazed options available for both. Our cabinets and doors are crafted solely from solid, sustainable oak, so they are as good to the environment as they are for your kitchen – and hard-wearing too.

Colour your cupboards

Adding a splash of colour to your cabinetry can easily and radically change the look of your kitchen. It is an inexpensive way of making the heart of your home feel lighter, newer and more inviting – and all you need is a tin or two of paint. Invite the outside in by choosing light or pastel colours – they will mimic the blooming flowers and lighter days, and giving new life to your kitchen as a result.

A colour such as Farrow & Ball’s Arsenic or Blue Ground, as shown here, will add playful touches and create an eye-catching style for only a small outlay. A classic colour such as New White or Pavilion Grey adds timeless appeal. Spring is all about lightness, so if you have darker cabinetry or worktops, a light-coloured contrast would work well – perfect if you would prefer not stretching to a whole new kitchen. Save yourself the work and purchase bespoke cabinet doors from us that can simply be used to replace the existing ones on your cupboards – with any of the shades from Farrow & Ball’s extensive collection available.

Bring nature in

Credit: The Yummy Life

Extending the bright and breezy feeling of spring to your kitchen is very easy to do. Simply picking or buying fresh flowers and displaying them in a vase, or having a bowl full of vibrantly coloured fresh fruit like zingy green apples or citrus fruits are both fantastic options for adding a touch of nature. For a contemporary twist, use mason or Kilner jars to put fruit or herbs in.

You will probably want a fresh smell for springtime too – whether you prefer a natural scent or something like clean linen. It is surprisingly easy to create your own air freshener out of simple ingredients such as sliced lemons, a few herb sprigs and vanilla extract. Simply simmer in a pan with some water until you start to notice the difference.

Little changes can add up to a big difference when it comes to a spring kitchen refresh. None of these ideas are particularly costly but they will keep your cooking space fresh and lively. Visit your nearest Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets showroom to see some different kitchen styles and spring inspirations.

“Do you sell kitchen island cabinets?”

Our customer question for this week has been sent in from Swindon where Priya would like to know more about the different types of cabinet we have available.

QUESTION:

“I am planning my new kitchen and would like to know if you sell kitchen island cabinets? I have been unable to find them on the website.”

ANSWER:

Hi Priya,

Thank you for getting in touch – we are pleased to hear that you are purchasing your new kitchen from us. We do not sell cabinets that are solely for the use of creating kitchen islands but you can purchase everything you need to make an island from us.

Any of our solid oak cabinets can be used to create an island. Using plinths and end panels to ensure the cabinet legs and service gap at the back of the cabinet or cabinets are concealed, giving your island a neat finish.

Alternatively, we do have a kitchen island trolley if you are looking for something smaller. It is created in the same place as all of our kitchen cabinets, using the same high quality materials so you can be sure of a superior finish.

If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate in contacting us. Alternatively, you are not too far from our Gloucestershire showroom should you wish to visit us and speak with somebody in person.

Kind regards,

The Team @ Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets

Do you have a question that you would like us to answer? Ask us now on , or send us a message.

We pride ourselves not only on the quality of our cabinet doors, but also the level of customisation we provide. Our aim is to be able to provide you with your dream kitchen for a great price, and we are confident that you will not find a product of the same quality for as low a price anywhere else.

Our glass kitchen cabinet doors are a popular option for a variety of different kitchen styles, and it is easy to see why. The frame is made of sustainable European oak, with the glazed panels manufactured using toughened glass to ensure they meet the highest safety requirements in both British and European standards, as well as our own quality expectations.

Shaker or Traditional?

When selecting your glass-fronted cabinets, you can choose from either our Shaker or Traditional doors, to ensure they coordinate the remainder of your kitchen. Traditional cabinet doors feature a more detailed design for a classic look, whilst our Shaker doors are the perfect option in a modern kitchen.

Our Shaker doors have a large, singular pane of glass in the centre of the frame, whilst our Traditional doors feature a classic design comprising of a number of smaller panes. Shaker doors are offered with frosted glass and traditional doors come with tinted glass as standard – however, if you prefer, you can choose to have frosted panels in a Traditional glazed door. We recommend that frosted panels are combined with lighter shades and tinted panels with darker colours for a balanced look.

What sizes are available?

We have a range of sizes of glazed kitchen cabinet doors, ensuring we have something suitable for every kitchen. For our standard 715mm-high doors, we offer three widths of 396mm, 496mm and 596mm, and you can also buy glazed doors in a size of 896mm x 496mm (height x width).

What colours are available?

espoke Farrow & Ball colour options are available on any of our glazed cabinet doors. Alternatively, you could opt to have the doors in our elegant lacquered finish. Three coats of scratch-resistant lacquer are used to finish the doors, providing a glossy, luxurious look that showcases the beauty of the timber. Before paint or varnish is applied, we meticulously sand down our doors to ensure as smooth a finish as possible whilst still allowing the oak grain to show. Should you prefer, you can choose to leave the wood sanded ready for a treatment of your own preference.

Pros and cons of glass kitchen cabinet doors

Glazed cabinet door panels are fantastic for displaying some of your best crockery or prized china – almost like turning your kitchen into a functional art gallery – and make the kitchen feel more light and airy than solid oak doors. Our toughened European-made glass is made to the highest standard to ensure it will be safe for you and your family and all our glass kitchen cabinet doors are fitted with top-of-the-range Blum BLUMOTION hinges and soft-close fittings.

As glazed cabinet doors are slightly see-through, the cabinet will need to be kept tidy and dust-free for the best effect. Their transparency means we do not recommend you put valuable or expensive items at the front of the cabinet, especially if your units are visible from a window or patio door. Our glass-panelled doors do command a slightly higher price than their solid oak equivalents, but this is due to the additional work required to create them.

“What is an RTA cabinet?”

Our customer question of the week has been sent in by Katrina in Rochdale, who is looking for some clarification of industry terms she has heard her kitchen fitter using.

QUESTION:

“I’ve heard my kitchen fitter talking about RTA cabinets but I’m not sure what they are. Are you able to shed some light and advise whether I should get them?”

ANSWER:

Hi Katrina,

Thank you for getting in touch – having a new kitchen fitted is a big decision to make so you need to make sure you pick the right cabinets and style for you.

RTA simply means ready-to-assemble, so it is essentially an industry term for flatpack. We offer all our kitchen units pre-built as standard to make it easier for our customers – we know that building furniture can be tricky and time consuming, so having pre-built units is often easier and more convenient. If you are having your kitchen fitted, it can also save you money as it removes the need to assemble cabinets, reducing the amount of time your fitter will need to spend.

That said, ready-to-assemble cabinets are a convenient option if you need to store them before fitting your new kitchen, especially when space is tight. If you require flat-packed units instead of assembled ones, we can arrange that for you – our sales team and showroom staff are on hand to help you get the perfect kitchen.

RTA cabinets cost the same as pre-assembled units and can be ordered across our whole range. You are close to our Derbyshire Showroom if you would like to visit us to make your purchase, and view our wide selection of cabinets and worktops before placing your order.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us

Kind regards,

The Team @ Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets

Do you have a question that you would like us to answer? Ask us now on , or send us a message.

If space is at a premium in your kitchen, you may need to think vertically. Tall kitchen cabinets and full-height kitchen cabinets can unlock a lot of extra space that would otherwise be unused, making your kitchen more efficient and helping prevent clutter.

Credit: Ideal Home

In a smaller kitchen, it is important not to waste cupboard real estate – ensuring you have plenty of shelves, drawers and spice racks will help to make the most of the limited space. This tall kitchen cabinet has spice racks and storage areas incorporated into the doors to make the most of the available room, and the shelves are designed to accommodate as much as possible.

Our Blum Space Tower provides the ultimate space-saving kitchen solution, with an impressive number of shelves providing ample room for a multitude of dry goods. Items that are not used often can be stored on the higher shelves, leaving the lower drawers free for the more important, day-to-day foodstuffs.

If possible, full-height wall cabinets should not be placed in a corner, especially above a worktop or sink. You will find that placing a full-height cabinet there will hinder how useful it is, as reaching the top shelves will be incredibly difficult due to the worktop being in the way. Generally, a worktop immediately below the cabinet, like the one pictured, will not impede access to the cupboard too much.

Credit: Stone Textile

Another possibility is to create a double-stacked look with one cupboard above another. While we currently cannot create bespoke cabinets to fit your measurements, an experienced carpenter or kitchen-fitter should be able to fit one of our units on top of another if you have sufficient space. Double-stacked cupboards can look fantastic and make a kitchen seem taller, and are useful for storing items that are seasonal or are not used often. Alternatively, order glass fronts to display some of your treasures on the top shelf, or light the cupboards up to highlight items or complement your lighting.

Credit: Stone Textile

Credit: Hedgehog

Unless you are particularly tall, accessing the highest cupboard space can be a challenge, and potentially dangerous if you stretch too far or lose balance. Fold-away steps start from just £4, but this beech version with anti-slip dots adds a dash of style as well as practicality. It is robust, easily storable and available from Coopers of Stortford. Alternatively, this opulent three-step oak folding ladder makes for a practical yet characterful way of accessing your top shelves. Order online from Hedgehog.

Tall and full-height cabinets can be a great way to maximise storage space in any kitchen, but works particularly well in smaller homes where space is limited. You may also be interested in our blog on storage tips for pantry cabinets.

“Do you have any examples of country kitchen designs?”

Our customer question for this week has been sent in by Andy in Maidstone, who would like to know if we can build a kitchen that’s hard-wearing with a rustic style.

QUESTION:

“I am in the market for a new kitchen and both my partner and I love a traditional farmhouse style. We are not 100% sure what we are looking for, so do you have any examples of country kitchen designs we could use?”

ANSWER:

Hello Andy,

Thanks for getting in touch – a lovely rustic look can make the kitchen the heart of a home, and the style is currently enjoying a huge resurgence because it works in both modern and period homes. We love the simple, traditional appeal of these kitchens and worktops because it’ll be suitable for family life while continuing to look great.

We do not currently offer a kitchen planning service, but we do have everything you need to create a country design in the heart of your home. Our Shaker or Traditional cabinet doors both look equally as good in country kitchen designs and lacquered or painted in any of the shades in the Farrow & Ball collection. Creams and off-whites have long been the go-to choice for a country kitchen, but lighter blues and greens offer a more contemporary option.

A cooking space needs to be as practical as it is attractive, so we would recommend our solid oak worktops for a country look. These hard-wearing surfaces are a traditional selection for a country look, and they will suit any colour you decide to have the cabinets, walls and crockery. For something a little different, a cherry work surface with an auburn-red tinge will add warmth, or a sophisticated honey-coloured maple countertop – either will add the perfect finishing touch to a gorgeous country kitchen.

If a new kitchen is high up on your list of resolutions, contrasting the colours of the worktops and cabinets is a popular option for 2018. Whether you choose dark cabinets with a light worktop or favour light cabinets and a work surface with a deeper hue, the elements of contemporary kitchen designs we have compiled below provide inspiration for a kitchen that is as up to date as it is eye-catching.

Credit: Roses & Rolltops

Dark Cabinet Doors

Our shaker cabinet doors are our most popular style, and they look fantastic painted in a dark colour. Popular colour choices for 2018 include Farrow & Ball’s Plummett, Green Smoke and Downpipe, as pictured on this kitchen island. Pair dark cabinet doors with a light-coloured wooden worktop such as prime oak or ash for maximum impact. For contemporary kitchen designs in smaller rooms, or those lacking natural light, using a combination of light and dark cabinets can create a similar look without making the kitchen appear dingy.

A Sustainable Choice

We work hard to ensure that the timber used to create all of our wooden cabinets and worktops comes from sustainable sources – if eco-credentials are important to you, why not go one step further and consider our bamboo worktops? Frequently harvested, bamboo takes much less time to reach maturity than other options, making it easily to replenish for an incredibly environmentally friendly choice. Bamboo worktops would be the perfect addition to your home and kitchen if you have a lot of plants, and they work in both light and dark kitchens thanks to its slightly reflective qualities.

White Cabinets

Whilst darker cabinets have been in vogue for some time, white or off-white kitchen cupboards can make the room feel lighter and airier, so choosing sleek, handleless cabinets can lend your cooking space a fresh and serene feel. White or light kitchen cupboard doors are a great accompaniment for any of our wooden worktops, but deeper timber hues – like our walnut or iroko worktops – create a great contrast for a statement look. The image shown here features Traditional cabinet doors in Farrow & Ball’s Hardwick White with deluxe black American walnut worktops – glossy green subway tiles add further warmth to the work surfaces.

These contemporary kitchen designs provide the perfect inspiration for the heart of your home – we would love to see the looks you create in your home, so feel free to tag us in any photos on Facebook and Instagram.